Trash payment wasn't deducted when I paid my bill: A letter to the editor

I am writing to tell you about my problem with the Sewerage & Water Board collection of the trash pick up portion of the bill.

While I admit I did let my bill go past due (a family member was severely ill and passed away in February 2011), I went online to pay the final notice bill. The bill reflected my past due sewerage and water bill portion and the amount past due for trash collection. I paid the entire bill.

The following month when I received my bill, I noticed there was a high balance due to the trash portion of the bill. Calls to the S&WB did not bring me any answers. I received a phone call from a collection agency regarding a past due balance for my trash. I explained I had paid the entire final notice bill.

At that point, I was advised that unless you indicate you are dedicating "X" amount toward the trash portion of the bill, all money is applied to the water bill.

This is why people are receiving collection notices and calls. This is unfair and needs to be investigated. If the S&WB is responsible for being an agent for the city to collect the trash portion, the money should be submitted as indicated on current and/or final bills.